Marrakesh has a reputation. You hear the stories — the noise, the crowds, the sensory overload — and you think you know what's coming. My Marrakesh first impressions proved me completely wrong. Not in a bad way. In the best possible way.
Having just arrived from Casablanca on a quick one-hour-ten-minute flight, I stepped into Marrakesh Menara Airport with my bags and zero idea what the city had in store for me. What followed was one of the most alive, overwhelming, and genuinely beautiful travel days I've had in Morocco.
Let me take you through it.
Marrakesh Menara Airport: Calmer Than You'd Think
The airport was my first Marrakesh first impression — and it was a good one. It's busy, yes. Around 4 to 5 million tourists pass through this city every year, so busy is expected. But busy and chaotic are not the same thing.
There were people actively helping elderly travelers and ladies through security. A dedicated taxi booking booth sits right outside arrivals — no shouting drivers, no one grabbing your arm. You walk up, book your ride, get a numbered receipt, and find your taxi. That's it.
The taxi ride into the old city cost around $15. You can pay cash or card. My driver headed straight to the medina, the old walled city, where cars eventually can't go — and that's where my real adventure began.
Tip: Coordinate your taxi directly with your riad. When cars can no longer enter the medina, someone from the hotel can meet you with a small carriage to handle your bags. I didn't do this. I dragged my luggage through narrow alleys for ten minutes. Learn from my mistake.
The Medina: A Labyrinth Worth Getting Lost In
Here's where my Marrakesh first impressions truly hit me. The moment the taxi dropped me off at the edge of the medina, I was on my own — luggage in hand, phone out, Google Maps doing its best.
The streets are narrow. Very narrow. Motorcycles, bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and pedestrians all share the same winding paths that were built long before cars existed. It feels like a maze because it is one. But here's the thing — it's clean, well-maintained, and absolutely beautiful.
Beautifully carved wooden doors. Tiled archways catching the afternoon light. Small windows and thick walls that keep the heat out (a design trick Moroccan builders have used for centuries). Every corner looks like something worth photographing.
I got lost once. Then I found my way. Then I almost got lost again. A young man from the market seemed to follow me for a while — this is something you'll hear about in Marrakesh. Locals sometimes offer to guide you to your hotel and ask for a tip at the end. He saw my camera and quietly disappeared. Just be aware it happens, stay confident, and you'll be fine.
Staying in a Riad: Time Travel for $110 a Night
My accommodation was Riad Albaraka, tucked deep inside the medina. For around $110 per night including breakfast, I got a traditional Moroccan room with a modern touch — a king-size bed, a rain shower, colourful tilework, a radiator for cold nights, air conditioning for summer, and fast internet (70 Mbps download, if you can believe it, right in the heart of the old city).
The riad itself has a small courtyard pool, several floors of rooms, and a rooftop terrace where breakfast is served with views of snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the distance. When I arrived, the staff brought mint tea to my room — served in a beautiful iron pot with a handle so you don't burn yourself. Little homemade cookies on the side. Attention to detail like this is what makes riads special.
If you want to know more about what to look for when choosing a riad in Morocco, check out our guide: Riad vs Hotel in Morocco: Which Is Right for You?
Jemaa el-Fna Square: The Heart of Everything
Step out of the riad and within minutes you reach the famous main square of Marrakesh — a place so alive it almost hums. During the day, it's juice stalls and market sellers. In the evening, it transforms into something else entirely, with food carts, musicians, and crowds of people from every corner of the world.
The juice men alone deserve their own story. Fresh sugarcane juice with lime and ginger for 20 dirhams (around $2). Pomegranate juice squeezed right in front of you. Strawberry and watermelon mixed together. Every vendor has their own way of calling customers — rhythmic sounds, clapping, shouting — it becomes part of the soundtrack of the square.
One stall was even doing the Turkish ice cream trick, pulling the cone away just before you grab it. Some things are universal.
What to Eat and Drink on Your First Day in Marrakesh
Moroccan Mint Tea — The Real Way
If you've had mint tea in Casablanca, Marrakesh is going to show you the difference. Here, they pour from height to create foam on top — that foam, locals told me, is the mark of proper Moroccan tea. Green tea, fresh mint, hot water, and sugar. The waiter actually asked what level of sugar I wanted, which surprised me. I went with two cubes. It was perfect.
Birate — Morocco's Answer to the Samosa
Wandering the souks, I spotted a street vendor selling triangular fried parcels. They're called birate here — the same concept as samosas in South Asia or sambusa in East Africa. I went for the cheese version on the vendor's recommendation. Inside: noodles, cheese, deep-fried. Heavy, oily, and completely worth it.
Moroccan Pastry and Halva
Near the square, I sat down at a small café that buys its pastries fresh from a nearby shop and serves them to you with tea. The pastry I tried had peanut filling rolled in sesame seeds — a combination I wasn't expecting but couldn't stop eating. I also picked up halva from a market lady who handed me extra pieces when she ran out of change. Moments like that stay with you.
For around 50 dirhams total — about $5.50 — I had mint tea, pastry, and sugarcane juice while watching the sun get lower over the rooftops.
Hungry for more? Read our full guide: The Best Street Food in Marrakesh: What to Eat and Where to Find It
Shopping in the Souks: What's Worth Buying
The souks branch off from the main square in every direction. It can feel overwhelming at first because many shops sell similar things — leather goods, spices, ceramics, textiles, argan oil, hats, jewellery. But slow down and you'll find the real gems.
One elderly lady was sitting on the ground, handmaking woven hats decorated with shells. She was probably in her eighties, working and selling at the same time. I bought one for 100 dirhams and paid a little extra just to support her. A small handpainted artwork went for 30 to 50 dirhams — less than $5 for something made by hand.
Henna is everywhere too. Artists will offer to do intricate temporary designs on your hands for as little as 10 dirhams for a small pattern. It lasts about a week to ten days.
Tip: Don't be in a rush. Bargaining is part of the culture, but be respectful about it. Buying from individual artisans working by hand is always a good choice.
Practical Tips for Your First Visit to Marrakesh
- Getting there: Fly into Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK). Flights from Casablanca take just over an hour.
- Airport taxis: Use the official taxi booth inside the airport. Fixed prices, no negotiation needed. Around $15 to the medina.
- Coordinate with your riad: Ask them to send someone to meet you at the taxi drop-off point with a luggage carriage.
- Money: Exchange currency at the airport or pay by card where accepted. 1 USD ≈ 9 Moroccan dirhams.
- Getting around: Google Maps works in the medina but isn't always precise. Allow extra time and enjoy getting a little lost.
- Best time to visit: Marrakesh is a year-round destination. Spring and autumn are ideal for comfortable temperatures. Summer gets very hot; winter evenings can be surprisingly cool.
- Cats: There are cats everywhere. Locals feed and care for them. You'll love it.
Planning the rest of your Morocco trip? See: Casablanca vs Marrakesh: Two Very Different Sides of Morocco
Final Thoughts: Was Marrakesh Worth the Hype?
Yes. Without question.
My Marrakesh first impressions were shaped by a city that is genuinely, proudly itself. It doesn't try to be anything other than what it is — ancient, beautiful, chaotic, generous, and full of life. The airport surprised me with its calm. The medina challenged me with its labyrinth. The riad won me over completely. And the food, the tea, the people — all of it confirmed that Marrakesh earns every one of those 4 to 5 million visitors it welcomes every year.
I'll be back in the medina tomorrow, going deeper. And I can't wait.
Have you been to Marrakesh? Did your first impressions match mine, or did the city surprise you in a completely different way? Drop your thoughts in the comments below — I'd love to hear your story.